Free Translator Free Translator
Translators Dictionaries Courses Other
Home
English Dictionary      examples: 'day', 'get rid of', 'New York Bay'




Commons   /kˈɑmənz/   Listen
noun
Commons  n. pl.  
1.
The mass of the people, as distinguished from the titled classes or nobility; the commonalty; the common people. (Eng.) "'T is like the commons, rude unpolished hinds, Could send such message to their sovereign." "The word commons in its present ordinary signification comprises all the people who are under the rank of peers."
2.
The House of Commons, or lower house of the British Parliament, consisting of representatives elected by the qualified voters of counties, boroughs, and universities. "It is agreed that the Commons were no part of the great council till some ages after the Conquest."
3.
Provisions; food; fare, as that provided at a common table in colleges and universities. "Their commons, though but coarse, were nothing scant."
4.
A club or association for boarding at a common table, as in a college, the members sharing the expenses equally; as, to board in commons.
5.
A common; public pasture ground. "To shake his ears, and graze in commons."
Doctors' Commons, a place near St. Paul's Churchyard in London where the doctors of civil law used to common together, and where were the ecclesiastical and admiralty courts and offices having jurisdiction of marriage licenses, divorces, registration of wills, etc.
To be on short commons, to have a small allowance of food. (Colloq.)






Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48








Advanced search
     Find words:
Starting with
Ending with
Containing
Matching a pattern  

Synonyms
Antonyms
Quotes
Words linked to  

only single words



Share |





"Commons" Quotes from Famous Books



... is very kind of you to call. I don't suppose you have any news. This morning's paper talked of an ultimatum. There has been a very exciting debate in the English House of Commons!" ...
— A Love Episode • Emile Zola

... upon the barren primer commons of this cold world! And that reminds me to say that I have been reading the essays by Arnold and Brownell which you gave me, with no little animosity. Brownell's criticism of Thackeray is very suggestive, and brushes ...
— The Jessica Letters: An Editor's Romance • Paul Elmer More

... Burke was a British statesman of Irish birth, who lived at the time of the American Revolution. While William Pitt opposed, in the House of Lords, the policy of the British government, Edmund Burke delivered, in the House of Commons, his famous speech on the Conciliation of the Colonies, March 22, 1775. This extract is taken from the closing paragraphs ...
— Elson Grammer School Literature, Book Four. • William H. Elson and Christine Keck

... the council were sent into all the bailiwicks, to lay before the assembled commons, first the treaty itself, and then, a written explanation of its several articles, and ask their patient examination of it, and also a communication of their views, in writing, to the government. With the ...
— The Life and Times of Ulric Zwingli • Johann Hottinger

... much too classical and mathematical. If this position is untrue, no popular scheme can be adopted at present; but it appears more than probable that before long the subject will be brought before the House of Commons, and education made accessible to all. As to the money for the purpose, the country will never grudge that. The obstacle appears to lie more in persuading the endless religious sects into which we are divided to ...
— Notes and Queries, Number 218, December 31, 1853 • Various


More quotes...



Copyright © 2024 Free-Translator.com